The snide remarks were so pronounced that Doddapaneni Kalyan Krishna (30), former Andhra Ranji fast bowler and IPL cricketer, decided to pack his bags and leave Hyderabad for Vijayawada, his native place. Months before bifurcation, the insecure feelings in government offices reached a new high, and Kalyan thought enough was enough. “The nagging was there,” he admitted.

After leaving a cosy city life and hectic cricketing indulgence at Hyderabad, Kalyan, an accounts assistant at South Central Railway Vijayawada Division, is like a fish out of the pond in Vijayawada, as he is unable to play or coach the game with which he was associated at the highest level for over 12 years. “Yes I miss my cricket,” says Kalyan, who played 51 Ranji matches since 2002

Kalyan shone as a medium pacer leaving his footprint in the Andhra Cricket Association’s history by claiming over 200 wickets in the first class cricket including 153 in the Ranji format.

He used to bowl to his strengths and used to move the ball either away to baffle the best of batsmen. “My back-to-back dismissal of Rahul ‘Wall’ Dravid in Mysore in one of the Ranji fixtures was a memorable one. Dismissing the batsman known for his unflappable technique is unimaginable,” says Kalyan to The Hindu.

Even after shifting to Vijayawada six month ago, Kalyan is unable to be part of the cricketing administration as a coach and he feeling a bit rusted. “I played cricket with the best of players and against the best of rivals. I have immense experience as a bowler as I took part in all formats including the Indian Premier League for Deccan Chargers. I want to be part of ACA’s bowling think tank and help bowlers to shine,” says the former medium pacer passionately.

It is a nice feeling to relish Kalyan’s achievements as a fast bowler as he carried forward the legacy of fast bowling from Vijayawada which produced quickies like N. Madhukar, Hanumara Ramkishen, H. Ramaprasad, Nekkanti Venkata Rao and the late Johnny Cussack, with élan. Known for commitment, Kalyan Krishna will be an asset to ACA which is keen to restore its lost image in the first class format. The association can also make use of him in the crucial age category (i.e.) u-19 – which is considered a laboratory where the future cricketers are tested.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / J. R. Shridharan / Vijayawada – September 02nd, 2014